Change Your Story, Change Your Life

ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING  This episode reveals the 6 essential elements of storytelling. There are many kinds of storytelling. There are novels, short stories, parable, screenplays, to name a few. This podcast and episode focus specifically on persuasive storytelling for business and for personal influence. In this context, think of storytelling as sharply focused intentional communication that engages people, arouses their emotions, and inspires them to take actions that will improve their lives. Listen to this to learn the WHAT of storytelling. In future episodes, you learn the HOW by exploring each of the elements of storytelling in greater detail. Here are the… 6 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING IMMEDIATE ENGAGEMENT – Your goal as a persuasive communicator is to grab your audience’s full attention immediately. MYSTERY – You hold people’s attention by creating a mounting sense of mystery. VIVID – Always communicate with sensory language. Paint three dimensiona

MEME SEASON. Happy December, the season of the holiday memes. Huh? What’s a meme, and what’s it got to do with the holidays? A meme is an element of culture or system of behavior that is passed from one individual to another by imitation. This episode explores the beliefs and “festive” images that bombard you during the December holidays. They are meant to cheer you up. But they can play havoc with your emotions if you are not mentally prepared for them. Here’s some of the fun stuff you’ll hear and learn about as we undress the holiday memes: The origin of the word meme How things we hate can become things we love overnight Why all beliefs are made up stories The media holiday traps to avoid if you want to feel good The 5 biggest memes guaranteed to spoil you holidays Why no one is better off than anyone else Plus, you will discover 12 “weapons of mass empowerment” that will lift you spirits high during the upcoming holiday season, In fact, they can

WHAT IS STORY STRUCTURE? Ready for the secret to story structure? Here it is. Every story you tell must have a clear BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END. I know. that sounds insultingly obvious. Truth is, it’s no more obvious than “what you focus on expands,” or “you’ve got to give to get.” And, like those often repeated phrases that may seem like cliches, the concept of beginning, middle, and end widely misunderstood, unclear, or not practiced at all. The proper application of beginning, middle, and end in your business storytelling (the persuasive communication of your brand message) can take your company and brand from invisibility to world class recognition. This episode clarifies the intention or purpose of each section of your business story that collectively take your prospective clients and customers on a transformation journey that gets them excited to do business with you. These are the three specific intentions of a strong story structure: BEGINNING – to enga

SIX WOMEN IN ONE Who are you? Do you really know? Are you the same person all the time? Or, do you do an identity switch depending on the circumstances or the people you are with? Don’t worry. If you answered yes to the identity switch question, that’s a good thing. Unless of course, you’re not aware of it, or you do it to manipulate and fool people. That kind of identity switch is not healthy or ethical. Meet Madelyn Wilkinson, today’s smart, funny, passionate, compassionate podcast guest. She’s a master of the identity switch. In her case, it means that she is evolving, self-aware, and not afraid of change. In other words, she is always growing and intensely alive. Madelyn has identified and nurtured six personality traits in herself that have developed into independent characters or personas. Each one shows up when it is most appropriate for her to show up. This episode is an excellent and unique example of “changing your story.” You may be thinking that we a

WHY STORY? Do you know why you can’t say, “I’m not a storyteller?” Because you are a storytelling machine. We all are. Stories and storytelling is hardwired into our DNA. We create meaning and purpose in our lives by creating narratives. That’s how I work; that’s how you work. Each of us is a storytelling machine. You might say, “I suck at storytelling.” That may very well be. But what does that really mean? It means that you allow the random voices in your head to shape your life, moment to moment. That’s what most people do. They live in reaction to people and events. Something unpleasant happens, and they feel bad. Someone criticizes them, and they feel blue. I know. I lived my life for a long time that way. It’s like being a feather in the wind. You are helplessly blown in any direction the wind chooses. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can choose to take responsibility for the raging tide of inner voices and direct them wherever y

MENTAL CASE Mike Veny has creativity, empathy, humor, and mental strength. He helps people find hope and meaning. That’s what he does and who he is today. Mike had to fight to become who he is. He had to dramatically change the story that the world was writing for him. The world labelled him mentally ill at an early age. Mike’s battle against and victory over a soul destroying self image have given him the power to enrich other people’s lives and help them discover their own mental strength. This interview with Mike Veny, one of America’s leading mental health speakers, offers you a treasure chest of self empowerment and transformation. Here are some of the gems you’ll discover as Mike’s shares moments and insights of his personal growth journey: How a mental breakdown was the beginning of a major breakthrough The why and what of the big stigma around mental health challenges What’s behind the stigma cycle How to protect yourself against the law of the tribe

YOUR STORYTELLING MASTERY Listen to Your Storytelling Mastery. It is you first step on an exciting journey toward your storytelling mastery. This introductory episode tells you exactly what to expect from my weekly podcast series on the art of storytelling. This first  installment is my promise to you. I will hold nothing back in this series. I will share everything I’ve learned through about storytelling through decades of experience. You will learn powerful real world storytelling techniques that will transform you into a clear, confident, compelling communicator – if you apply them. These storytelling skills will enrich you personal life, and they can explode your business. This is not a course in storytelling from the ivory tower of academia. I will share the skills and secrets that I learned as an actor on stages around the world, in front of the camera in Hollywood movies and TV films, in the many classrooms where I taught acting, directing, and dramatic literature, and in my high prof

YOUR DREAM LIFE This is a no nonsense podcast episode about the simple daily habits that will propel you toward the life of your dreams. Our guest is Denise Walsh who has been on Change Your Story, Change Your life once before. She has just created the Dream Life Daily Journal;  it may be just what you need to rock your world as we approach a new year. Even if you never get Denise’s Dream Life Daily Journal, you will discover many empowering gems in today’s show. here are just a few: The awesome power of a very short daily ritual The magic of shifting your thoughts and actions just 1% How to be your life’s puppet master every single day How to hit new highs even if you are already successful Why setting intentions to create your day should not be optional The science behind intentions How habits work Learning to always expect the best to happen The powerful difference between emotions and feelings Why no one can ever hurt you again Secrets of great actors that you can transfor

EMOTIONAL PUPPETS Are you living a puppet story? How do you know if you are? One way is answer the question, “What is the difference between my emotions and my feelings?” Seems like a trick question. But, it’s not. This podcast episode has the power to free you from the whims of your emotions. Listen to it to discover the liberating answer to my puzzling question. You’ll gain another powerful resource to create and live your own life by design. BOOKS IN THIS PODCAST https://brendon.com/books/ (High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way) by Brendon Burchard. (FREE COPY)

YOUR LIFE SHIFT What do the words, you life shift, mean?  In this podcast episode they mean the decisions and actions that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be in your life. Of course, none of this applies to you if you are exactly where you want to be. In that case, listen to a different podcast. The truth is that we are living in an age of tumultuous change, uncertainty, and confusion. In this environment, many people globally are actively seeking a better way to live. If you are one of them, today’s podcast is for you. Our guest is John Hinkle, a man who made a major shift in his own life when the foundation for his success in the corporate world began to fall apart. John did some deep soul searching, created his own new path to success, then reinvented himself as a coach and mentor who helps others transform their lives and identities. He also wrote an inspiring book on the subject called, SHIFT: Moving From Where You Are to the Life You Want. Here are some of the inspir

TUNE INTO YOU You radio is playing loud and clear, but can you hear it through the noise? Our thoughts radiate at different frequencies. Many people are tuned into negative chatter, frequencies of lack and fear, or just plain noise. They find it hard to believe that there are empowering thoughts beneath the static. All they have to do to hear them is turn the dial on You Radio. Sounds strange? The little story in this podcast will clear the air and might even let you hear your own empowering music.

MIGHTY BY CHOICE Today’s podcast is an interview with a young woman who is mighty by choice. Her name is Caitlin Pyle. She believes, as I do, that anyone can be mighty by choice. Her story is about her fascinating journey from living by other people’s rules to claiming her power and learning to live by her own rules. You can listen to her story two ways. One, you can hear it and say, “That’s great for her, but my situation is very different. I can never do what she did.” Two, you can receive Caitlin’s message and say, “Wow! She went from feeling powerless to feeling strong by making a decision to do so. I can make the same kind of decision.” Which option will serve you best? Caitlin changed her identity story from employee to entrepreneur. That change allowed her to become a millionaire by age 30. Here are just a few of the powerful inspirational nuggets you’ll take away from my interview with Caitlin Pyle: How she decided to wrap herself in streng

PROCRASTINATION JOY This podcast is my tribute to Dan Sullivan who writes brilliantly about the joy of procrastination. Dan is the founder of Strategic Coach, a company that helps elite entrepreneurs achieve exponential success. He is an original thinker who helps you (among other things) to reframe procrastination from a negative to a positive experience. He has written an entire book on the subject called “Procrastination Priority.” He also does a podcast with another brilliant marketer, Dean Jackson, called “The Joy of Procrastination.” Dean, by the way, is the man who invented the capture page. In this episode, I focus on three things that help you to liberate yourself from the weight and bondage of procrastination: Shame Loneliness Goals Also, I offer you this powerful thought that Dan expresses that can literally transform and enrich your life. “Self forgiveness is when you give up wishing that you had a better past.”

LIFE ON YOUR OWN TERMS Becoming Burlesque is a new feature film written and directed by Jackie English. It’s also a story about choosing to live the life you desire, the life of your dreams, instead of a life of obligation. This podcast is an interview with Jackie English. It takes you on a journey of discovery. It will inspire you and awaken your courage and your dreams. Jackie imagined herself in many different roles as she was growing up – a pilot, a jockey, an architect, a cop. For awhile, she went corporate. Then, she listened to her heart and began her life as performer. That led to her current role as a film director. Here are a few of the gems you’ll find in this podcast: The power of letting your path choose you The joy of choosing what seems hard The magic of doing something you want without overthinking it The importance of expanding your comfort zone The reassurance that everyone feels doubt and fear The value of challenging what feels impossible   http://chan

NOMADIC LIFESTYLE A nomadic lifestyle means that you frequently change your location; you choose not to have one fixed address. That can be scary or liberating. It a; depends on your mindset, your story about life and the world. Today’s podcast guest is Kala Philo, a woman who gave up her traditional career and possessions and chose a life on the road. It began as an adventure. It became her permanent nomadic lifestyle. Today, Kala earns money online, the perfect choice for a person who is always mobile. And, she teaches and inspire others to live adventurous rewarding lives that embrace change and value freedom. You’ll be engaged, entertained, perhaps even encouraged to live your own adventure as you listen to Kala. Here are a few nuggets from today’s podcast: What it means to be psychologically unemployable Why uncertainty is a powerful human need How decluttering can liberate your life How to overcome the fears that stand between you and your dreams What is slow travel? Books t

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GOT THE SUGAR BLUES? Many people have a sweet tooth. Maybe you do. It seems innocent, You might even smile when you say, “I have a sweet tooth.” The truth is that sugar, the white powder that men, women, and children love, is an addictive drug. Some argue that it’s right up there with cocaine. Today’s podcast guest, Thom King, experienced the destructive power of sugar firsthand. One day, when he looked in the mirror, he decided that enough was enough. That’s when he became the Guy Gone Keto. You will learn many eyeopening and empowering things from Thom’s story. Here are just a few: What is ketosis, and why you want to achieve it The nasty truth about sugar Why fats are your friends How society promotes addiction Why those whole grains may not be so healthy How to leverage your pain to achieve freedom and happiness The health benefits of a cerebral flush How to conquer the obesity epidemic Much, much more… BOOKS IN THIS PODCAST https://www.amazon.com

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LAUGHTER LIFESTYLE Comedy is serious business. It takes courage, imagination, and true grit to make your living as a standup comic. Kathy Klotz-Guest is a professional comedian. She knows how to laugh it up and how to make others laugh as she goes through life. Have you ever wondered what kind of person becomes a comic? What makes her tick? What’s the secret to her ability to touch your funny-bone again and again? You’ll get those questions answered, you’ll be entertained, inspired, and, you may learn a few valuable things when you listen to my interview with Kathy. Here are a few of the empowering highlights in this episode: How to make failure your friend The value and the power of reframing painful experiences The importance of storytelling in life and business Improvisation for business people Comedy as weaponized social consciousness What it means to own your life Comedians who inspire Kathy How to find and own your unique sense of humor The healing power of laughter The

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